Device for dispensing dry ice

ABSTRACT

A hand held dry ice dispensing device. The device includes a handle, which may include two hand grip portions, and a canister attached to the handle. The canister has an open bottom end wherein dry ice flows outward there from. A valve is disposed in the canister and produces a vortex discharge of CO 2  gas flow which sublimes and forms dry ice. The device may also include an actuating mechanism, as well as, a safety mechanism.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for dispensing dry ice, and more particularly, to a hand held device for dispensing dry ice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dry ice (also sometimes referred to as CO₂ snow) is used for a variety of applications, for example in refrigeration, cooling, and freezing applications. Many of these different applications involve depositing dry ice onto an object for shipping before the object is packaged, or into a package containing an object. In either instance, the dry ice keeps the object cold during transportation or shipping.

Many conventional applications utilize dry ice dispensers (such as snow horns or devices with skirts) in fixed positions above a conveyor belt or other means for moving the object/packages. As the objects/packages pass underneath the dry ice dispensers, the dispensers deposit the dry ice onto the objects or into the packages.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,023 discloses a snow horn used in association with a conveyor belt in freezer. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,287 discloses a large hood that is used to create a large rectangular area under which dry ice can be deposited onto an object.

Presumably effective at creating and depositing dry ice, these devices, however, have fixed parameters relating to the plant dimensions, to the conveyor belt dimensions, and the dry ice dispenser dimensions. Moreover, problems may arise if the object or package is too large to be used on the conveyor belt. Further, additional problems may arise with a uniquely sized and or shaped object that may not allow such a device to fully coat the object or completely fill the package.

Some conventional applications utilize a canister or other chamber connected to a CO₂ source to make dry ice. These devices allow for dry ice to be made and deposited into the canister or other chamber, and then manually applied onto objects, into packages, or used as needed.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,679 discloses an apparatus that can be connected to a CO₂ tank to produce dry ice in a bag within a canister. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,677,020 discloses a valve that can be placed upon a CO₂ tank and used, for example, with a hose to produce dry ice in a container.

While presumably effective for their intended purpose, these devices tend to require manual transportation of the dry ice from the canister or chamber to the object or package. Thus, while these devices would solve some of the problems that may arise in the conventional conveyor belt type applications, a manual transfer of the dry ice is very time consuming (which can result in higher operational costs) and includes a longer exposure of the dry ice to air (which can results in loss of dry ice and higher operational costs). Furthermore, these devices may not necessarily produce the appropriate amount of dry ice, which can lead to over production (which can also result in loss of dry ice and higher operational costs).

U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,377 discloses a gun shaped handle to be used for a dry ice blasting process for cleaning. The gun handle is intended to be gripped by only one hand. While this device is hand held, it is not contemplated to be used for applying dry ice for freezing and packaging applications. Furthermore, the device does not include any safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge by a user.

In addition, some conventional devices do not allow for maximum production of dry ice from the gas flow within the dispensing devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,346 discloses a device that has a discharge valve with a plurality of apertures. The gas flow out of the apertures is directed downward by the hemispherical shape of the canister. It is believed that by changing the directional flow of gas as it exits the valve, the dry ice production efficiency can increase.

Thus, there remains a need for a device that allows for the rapid depositing of dry ice but is not constrained to set dimensions of the objects and the packages that receive the dry ice. Moreover, there remains a need for such a device that can provide accurate and stable depositing of dry ice, as well as prevent accidental discharge of same. Furthermore, there remains a need for a device that increases the efficiency of the dry ice production.

The present invention is directed to providing a device that can provide these benefits, as well as other benefits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, the present invention is directed towards a dry ice dispensing device for use with a CO₂ source, wherein the device includes a canister with a top end, an open bottom end, an exterior surface, and an interior chamber. The device also includes a handle associated with the exterior surface of the canister. The handle may include a first hand grip portion and a second hand grip portion. It is preferred that the first hand grip portion is fixed in relation to the second hand grip portion.

By “fixed in relation to” it is meant that the when the device is operating (i.e., producing dry ice) the first and second hand grip portions are at a fixed angle to each other—preferably 90 degrees. It is preferred in some embodiments that disposed on the first and/or second hand grip portions of the handle are hand grips.

The device also includes a dry ice dispensing mechanism that includes a connection tube and a discharge valve operatively associated with the connection tube. The connection tube has a first end for connection with the CO₂ source and a second end associated with the discharge valve. The discharge valve includes an end having a plurality of apertures for creating a vortex discharge.

By “vortex discharge” it is meant that the CO₂ gas flow out of the apertures of the discharge valve is directed in a circular motion downward. It is believed that the vortex discharge will allow for greater time within the canister in which the CO₂ gas can under sublimation.

In some embodiments of the invention, each aperture of the discharge valve is disposed on a circumference of a circle. Further, the apertures may be disposed substantially equidistance to each other on the circumference of the circle.

In addition, in some of the embodiments of the present invention, each aperture includes a horizontal angle and/or a vertical angle. By “horizontal angle” it is meant that when viewed from the outside, the aperture transitions left or right. By “vertical angle” it is meant that when viewed from the outside, the aperture transitions up or down. The horizontal angle is preferably approximately 15 degrees and the vertical angle is preferably approximately 5 degrees. Further, the apertures may have a diameter of approximately 50/1000 of an inch (or approximately 1.25 mm).

In some embodiments of the invention, the valve includes a threaded shaft and the connection tube includes a threaded aperture for receiving the threaded shaft.

In certain embodiments the open bottom end of the canister has a circumference greater than a circumference of the top end. Alternatively, or in addition, the exterior surface of the canister in some embodiments includes a flat portion and a chamfered portion.

Furthermore, some embodiments of the present invention include a bag removably attached about the canister such that the chamfered portion cooperates with the bag to retain the bag on the dry ice dispensing device.

Additionally, some embodiments of the invention further include a removable insulated grip disposed about the canister.

Finally, it is contemplated that in some of the embodiments of the invention an actuating mechanism for controlling a flow of CO₂ to the discharge valve is also included with the device.

A device according to one or more of these embodiments described herein has many benefits.

Since the device is hand held, it allows for an operator to coat an object having any dimension or fill a package having any dimension. Thus, unlike the conveyor belt type conventional applications, the present invention is not limited in the ability to deposit dry ice by the shape or the size of an object or package.

Additionally, the use of a hand held device avoids the need to manually transfer the dry ice from a canister or other container to the object or the package. Therefore, the present invention minimizes the operational costs and dry ice loss associated with conventional devices that create dry ice in a canister but still requires the manual transport of same from the canister to the object or package. Furthermore, a user can apply only the amount needed, thus, overflow, or excess dry ice, can be minimized. Notwithstanding same, such a device also can be used in association with a bag, for example, thus, allowing a user to produce dry ice in a movable bag as well.

Moreover, the two part hand grip portions allow for superior control and application of dry ice as it allows control of the device and stabilization of same.

Furthermore, the use of a valve which creates vortex discharge is believed to increase the efficiency of the device and allow it to produce more dry ice.

In addition, given the temperatures associated with the creation and discharge of dry ice, it is beneficial to have the handle, and more particularly, the hand grip portions, positioned in such a manner, away from the CO₂ source and the canister so as to minimize any accidental contact between certain portions of the device (that are extremely cold) and a user's body. Moreover, the use of a removable insulated grip disposed about the canister provides further support and control of the device by providing another safe surface which can be gripped by the user.

These benefits as well as others will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following detailed description and attached drawings.

It is to be understood that the aspects and objects of the present invention described above may be combinable and that other advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following description of the drawings and the detailed description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that the accompanying drawings depict only typical embodiments, and is, therefore, not to be considered to be limiting of the scope of the present disclosure, the embodiments will be described and explained with specificity and detail in reference to the accompanying drawings as provided below.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective partial cutaway view of a device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is side perspective view of a valve according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is top view of a valve according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top cutaway view of the valve shown in FIG. 3, wherein it has been cut along line AA in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention shown with a bag and a removable insulated hand grip;

FIG. 7 a is a top view of a first side of the removable insulated hand grip side from FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 b is a top view of a second side of the removable insulated hand grip side from FIG. 6; and,

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention with an actuating mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one or more embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

Reference throughout this description to features, advantages, objects or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, any discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but does not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Device 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes, generally, canister 12 connected to a CO₂ source (not shown), and handle 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, canister 12 (also sometimes referred to as a snow horn or a skirt) includes top end 16, bottom end 18, exterior surface 20, and internal chamber 22 (see, FIG. 2). Canister 12 includes length extending from top end 16 to bottom end 18. Bottom end 18 is open, so that dry ice can be formed within internal chamber 22 and flow out of canister 12 through bottom end 18.

As can be seen, for example, in FIG. 1, handle 14 is associated with exterior surface 20 of canister 12 and may be attached to (i.e., welded to) canister 12 with a housing 24. Handle 14 includes first hand grip portion 26 and second hand grip portion 28. Preferably, disposed about first and second hand grip portions 26, 28 of handle 14 are hand grips 30. Hand grips 30 can be foam, plastic, a mixture or any other suitable material. These materials are merely exemplary, and one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that many different materials can be utilized.

As shown in FIG. 1, first hand grip portion 26 and second hand grip portion 28 are fixed in relation to each other. In a most preferred embodiment the first hand grip portion 26 and the second hand grip portion 28 are at an approximately 90 degree angle to each other. It is contemplated that device 10 might have movable hand grips 30 that allow for the hand grips 30 to be moved, for example, along the longitudinal axis of first hand grip portion 26 and/or second hand grip portion 28. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that first and second hand grip portions 26, 28 be made adjustable so that while device 10 is inoperable the angle between first and second hand grip portions 26, 28 can be adjusted, but not when device 10 is operable.

In a preferred embodiment, first hand grip portion 26 has length that extends substantially perpendicular to length of canister 12. Second hand grip portion 28 has length that runs substantially parallel to length of canister 12. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that first and second hand grip portions 26, 28 need not be exactly parallel or perpendicular, and variations or deviations are contemplated by the present invention and considered as being encompassed by the terms “substantially perpendicularly” or “substantially parallel.”

As shown in FIG. 2, device 10 also includes connection tube 32 with first end 34 and second end 36. First end 34 is in association with a CO₂ source (not shown), which can be a tank or other CO₂ source. Second end 36 is associated with a discharge valve 38.

Discharge valve 38 is disposed within interior chamber 22 of canister 12 which produces a vortex discharge.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3-5, one contemplated means for achieving a vortex discharge is using discharge valve 38 with a plurality of apertures 40 (see FIG. 3). It is preferred that apertures 40 are identical, and most preferably, are all disposed equidistance to each other on the circumference of a circle (see, FIG. 5).

Further, in a preferred embodiment, each of the apertures 40 includes a horizontal angle between approximately 5-20 degrees, preferably approximately 15 degrees, and/or a vertical angle between approximately 5-10 degrees, preferably approximately 5 degrees. It is most preferred that all of the apertures 40 have the same, or nearly identical configurations to produce a constant vortex discharge.

Further, it is preferred that apertures 40 have a size of approximately 50/1000 of an inch (or approximately 1.25 mm) It has been found that having too large of an aperture 40 (such as greater than approximately 70/1000 of an inch or 1.778 mm), allows the CO₂ gas to discharge too quickly and freeze, thus, lowering the efficiency of the device. Accordingly, it is desired that the apertures 40 are relatively small to slow the exit of gas and allow for optimal sublimation.

As seen in FIG. 3, It is contemplated that valve 38 includes threaded portion 42 which is received in threaded aperture 44 of connection tube 32. This would allow for various discharge valves with to be used in and then removed from device 10.

Turning to FIG. 6, an embodiment of the invention includes device 10 being utilized with bag 46. In order to maintain bag 46 on device 10, open bottom end 18 of canister 12 may include a circumference greater than a circumference of top end 16 of canister 12. Additionally, exterior surface 20 of canister 12 may include flat portion 48 (with a constant circumference or size) and chamfered portion 50 (with a growing circumference or size). Chamfered portion 50 cooperates with bag 46 to retain bag 46 on dry ice dispensing device 10.

As also can be seen in FIG. 6, device 10 may include removable insulated hand grip 52, preferably disposed about canister 12. Removable insulated hand grip 52 creates another point at which device 10 may be held without concern about the temperature of canister 12. Hand grip 52 preferably includes, as can be seen in FIGS. 7 a, and 7 b, outer surface 54 and inner surface 56. Each surface 54, 56 includes a portion of a connection member 58 a, 58 b, for example loop and pile fastener portions. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, that due to the extreme cold temperature of canister 12, it is necessary that hang grip 52 be made from suitable materials, which would be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

Finally, as can be seen in FIG. 8, in order to control the creation and depositing of dry ice, device 10 may further include actuating mechanism 60. Actuating mechanism 60 opens and closes the discharge valve 38. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of actuating mechanism 60 is in operable communication with at least one of first and second hand grip portions 26, 28. By “operable communication” it is meant that at least one hand grip portion 26, 28 and a portion of actuating mechanism 60 can be held and/or operated in a user's hand at the same time. One such contemplated actuating mechanism 60 includes trigger 62 and post 64.

In order to further prevent accidental discharge, device 10 may include safety mechanism 66 that precludes actuating mechanism 60 from moving to an open position while safety mechanism 66 is in a locked position. As shown in FIG. 8, safety mechanism 66 is disposed on handle 14 and is in operable communication with actuating mechanism 60. Safety mechanism 66 precludes actuating mechanism 60 (by interference) from moving to an open position, and more particularly, precludes trigger 62 from moving upward. Once safety mechanism 66 has been moved in the direction of arrow S, actuating mechanism 60 can be moved to an open position allowing for the flow of CO₂ gas to the valve 38.

For the above examples of suitable materials, technologies, or properties, are merely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting to only those materials, technologies or properties listed above.

As previously mentioned, these embodiments of the present invention provide a device that can be used to deposit dry ice on a variety of objects and in a variety of packages since the device is operated by hand. Moreover, the use of two hand grip portions of a handle allows for superior control of the device and more accurate and better depositing of dry ice.

Further, in embodiments that include a safety mechanism, this prevents accidental discharge which can waste product (and increase production costs) as well as pose a risk of injury due the extreme temperatures associated with making dry ice.

As discussed above the valve that produces the vortex discharge is believed to increase the production efficiency of the device by allowing the gas to travel a path that allows for an increased production of dry ice.

It is to be understood that additional embodiments of the present invention described herein may be contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art and that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed. While specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dry ice dispensing device for use with a CO₂ source, the device comprising: a canister having a top end, an open bottom end, an exterior surface, and an interior chamber; a handle associated with the canister, wherein the handle includes a first hand grip portion and a second hand grip portion, the first hand grip portion being fixed in relation to the second hand grip portion; a connection tube passing through the exterior surface and into the interior chamber and being associated with a CO₂ source; and, a discharge valve operatively associated with the connection tube, wherein the discharge valve includes an end having a plurality of apertures for creating a vortex discharge.
 2. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 1 wherein each aperture of the end of the discharge valve is disposed on a circumference of a circle.
 3. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 2 wherein the apertures are disposed substantially equidistance to each other on the circumference of the circle.
 3. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 1 wherein each aperture includes a horizontal angle.
 4. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 3 wherein the horizontal angle is approximately 15 degrees.
 5. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 1 wherein each aperture includes a vertical angle.
 6. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 5 wherein the vertical angle is approximately 5 degrees.
 7. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 1 wherein valve includes a threaded shaft and the connection tube includes a threaded aperture for receiving the threaded shaft.
 8. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the first hand grip portion is fixed at an approximately 90 degree angle to the second hand grip portion.
 9. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the apertures have a diameter of approximately 50/1000 of an inch (or approximately 1.25 mm)
 10. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the open bottom end has a circumference greater than a circumference of the top end.
 11. A dry ice dispensing device for use with a CO₂ source, the device comprising: a canister having a top end, an open bottom end, an exterior surface, and an interior chamber; a connection tube passing through the exterior surface and into the interior chamber and being associated with a CO₂ source; and, a discharge valve operatively associated with the connection tube, wherein the discharge valve includes an end having a plurality of apertures for creating a vortex discharge and each aperture includes a horizontal angle and a vertical angle.
 12. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the horizontal angle is approximately 15 degrees.
 13. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 12 wherein the vertical angle is approximately 5 degrees.
 14. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 11 wherein the vertical angle is approximately 5 degrees.
 15. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 11 wherein the apertures are disposed substantially equidistance to each other on a circumference of a circle.
 16. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 15 further comprising a handle associated with the canister, wherein the handle includes a first hand grip portion and a second hand grip portion, the first hand grip portion being fixed at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the second hand grip portion.
 17. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 16 wherein the exterior surface includes a flat portion and a chamfered portion.
 18. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 17 further comprising a bag removable attached about the canister such that the chamfered portion cooperates with the bag to retain the bag on the dry ice dispensing device.
 19. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 16 further comprising a removable insulated grip disposed about the canister.
 20. The dry ice dispensing device of claim 11 further comprising an actuating mechanism for controlling a flow of CO₂ to the discharge valve. 